A Lahing Ginebra story from Dubai

When GINEBRA played games in Dubai last year, during the press con, one guest (not from press) blatantly asked the team ‘bakit po ang tagal nang hindi nag-cha-champion ang Ginebra ” Another one asked, “Nasasaktan ba kayo pag sinasabihan kayo ng tao na Kangkong ang Ginebra.”

I felt bad that the team had to deal with those unethically delivered questions. The commissioner and the players were appalled and just laughed them off. Mark Caguioa and JJ Helterbrand responded in jest but still within the professional context.

Then there was a blank look in their faces.

I already had few game-related questions at the start of press con, but I felt the need to throw the final question of the night. I asked about the seemingly impatient coaching changes then, and how challenging it was to mature a strategy with those leadership and roster changes - that seem to contribute to their unfortunate campaigns in recent times.

Not to brag, but that question was also aimed to encourage everyone to ask the right questions in order to get the right responses. That way we develop a good rapport even at that short span of time with the guests.

Commissioner Chito Salud commented, “Aha! Good question, finally!"

At the end of the press con, Mark tapped me and said, “Really good questions tol Mag-cha-champion din tayo!”

AT CHAMPION NA NGA ANG GINEBRA! WALA NANG KANGKUNGAN! 😂

JJ, LA Tenorio and coach Olsen Racela also shared good words.

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Trivia: I look up to Mark Caguioa since I was 16 years old. I followed Ginebra religiously after Bal David because of his sparkling plays among others. I never thought a day will come where I can talk to him about basketball stuffs. Thank you to the organizers for having me as a little part of PBA events here in Dubai.